Laura Mercier’s new releases for Summer & Autumn 2012

by Katie on August 4, 2012

Hold on to your hats make-up lovers. La Doyenne that is Laura Mercier has a whole host of new launches over the few months that are a defo addition to your make-up bag. A few weeks ago, Laura talked a select group through her new releases and product ranges in the comfort of the ’20s deco Beaufort Bar at The Savoy.

Firstly, there’s the ‘Summer Jewels’ collection that sparkles and sizzles in true silvers, bare pinks and bold brights. My faves are the baked eye colours (£18.50) that have high pigmentation and give great solid colour on first application but can be layered even more to build up colour and contrasted against one another. The platinum silver and opulent pink are a vibrant and useful addition to any make-up routine.

Then, there’s the Shimmer Bloc at £31 (that can even be used as eye colours if cleverly used) in Pink Tourmaline. This gives a sweep of blush pink but can be broken down and applied to the eyes as highlighters in a multitude of ways. Throw in the wonderful Caviar Stick Eye Colour (£20) in sterling silver and a Summer Sparkle is ensured.

We’ve also just seen the release of the enigmatic Cinema Noir collection (as seen at Jenny Packham’s recent show) that is inspired by the glamour of Hollywood movies and such iconic figures as Katherine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman and Rita Hayworth who all has such strong signature looks. The make-up palette is modern and dramatic. Eyes wear muted shades in smoky mixes of teals and chocolates, blended together to create a sultry appeal. Lashes are long and voluminous and lips have a beautiful creamy soft finish in shades of roses and mauves. Nails are contrastingly painted in soft shades of nude and cocoa.

Mercier’s Cinema Noir has two key colour collections and a number of hero launches including the tinted moisturiser compact. The Eye Colour Duets (£18.50) in mystere and suspense creates a moody, shady feel to the eyes. While the tightline cake eye liner (£18) gives the classic definition but in shades of deep teal and ground espresso instead of black. There are three limited edition nail varnishes in the range – sued, nude silk and organza – all muted classic shades that can be worn for day.

August sees the release of Ambre Vanille as an addition to the gourmand scents that have made Laura Mercier the byword for gourmand deliciousness in bathing beauty. There’s a creamy, milky sweetness with the ever present honey in this product that smacks of suntan lotion and summer sun. Then, Mercier releases ‘her’ version of a BB cream – the tinted moisturiser. To make this more practical and in response to consumers, Mercier has created a ‘cake’ compact which gives the same coverage as the liquid tinted moisturiser in a range of 12 colours but a different formulisation.

In September, we look forward to the 18 new shades of Creme Smooth Lipstick which has taken Laura Mercier three years to formulate. It was important for Laura to achieve smoothness and depth as well as high pigmentation, moisturisation and hydration. The stars are the Mango and Haute Red (already sidelined as must-haves for Chutzpah) while the matte glosses show a new way to wear red. Laura quotes Tamara de Lempica as an inspiration and the Deco and Tamara slicks of red do this inspiration justice.

I thoroughly loved the Illuminating Eye Colours in Rose Gold and Platinum. Such devastatingly tempting shades with a gorgeous, rich, gilded smooth feel – like touching and painting on oil paint – pearlescent but muted and delicious in an adult feel shimmer. Add to these, the modern red nail polish, more like a dark rouge noir and you can imagine the opulent feel.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Mercier wihout mentioning brushes. Mercier holiday brush case at £67 is an indulgent but much coveted gift with double-ended useful brushes that can be carted around. Then, there’s the clever ‘face-in-a-box’ (in teale and gold options) which, is as it sounds, is a complete make-up up palette in one with clever swish, slide cases.

The most exciting reveal was the fact that Ms Mercier is working on a new fragrance for 2013 based around a rounded sensual amber. Mercier is working with a well known nose on this project but is feeding constant direction and creativity. Watch this space.

Laura Mercier is available from the SpaceNK website or from good department stores like Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, House of Fraser and Brown Thomas, Ireland.